UN chief condemns Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs

BEIRUT, Lebanon — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, warning that the attacks could jeopardize a deal expected to be signed between the United States and Iran. In a written statement, Guterres said the strikes were carried out despite an existing ceasefire and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint during what he described as a critical period. The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah targets in the southern suburbs, adding that the operation was launched in response to a missile attack by Hezbollah on northern Israel. Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported that three people were killed and 15 others wounded in the strikes on the southern suburbs. US President Donald Trump said Israel's attack on Beirut could have been avoided on a day when an agreement with Iran was close. Trump also said he would ask Iran not to retaliate against Israel. No further details on the US-Iran deal or the immediate diplomatic response were immediately available.